By RICHIE HALL
sports@readthereporter.com
NOBLESVILLE – The person that was most surprised about Cheyenne Boggs winning the Hamilton County 4-H Queen Pageant was likely Cheyenne Boggs.
The Strawtown resident and senior-to-be at Hamilton Heights said after being crowned queen that dresses and makeup are “not my thing.” But with confidence and her outgoing nature, Boggs won the crown at last Friday’s Pageant, which took place at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds in Noblesville.
Boggs was one of 16 contestants at the Pageant, which dates back to 1961. The 17-year-old and nine-year member of 4-H has been the president of the Heartland 4-Hers for the past three years. She is the daughter of David Boggs and Mandy Boggs.
Cheyenne Boggs reacts to winning the Hamilton County 4-H Queen Pageant. Also pictured is 2023 Queen Avery Williams. (Reporter photo by Richie Hall)
“It’s just a small, little local club,” said Cheyenne Boggs. “We love the way it is.”
Boggs had to miss the first pageant meeting because she was at a Future Farmers of America (FFA) contest, which she admitted “totally threw me off. But I went in it with a confident, strong head. I was going to try my best no matter the outcome, so I guess that is what happened out of it.”
But competing in FFA helped her during the interview portion of the contest, which took place the morning of the pageant when the contestants are interviewed by the judges.
“I was definitely nervous, but I am one that does not like to show my nerves at all,” said Boggs. “So, with FFA I’ve been in a lot of interviews. I know I can talk about myself, that’s not anything different. I knew I was going to answer questions to my best ability and once it’s out of my mouth, I can’t change it.”
Contestants participate in an evening gown competition during the Pageant, where they are asked a question by Master of Ceremonies Adam Good. He asked Boggs, “What is your favorite 4-H project, and how has it helped you prepare for the future?”
“My favorite 4-H project is most definitely Junior Leaders,” said Boggs. “I get to interact with all these lovely ladies back here and we get to learn our public speaking skills and a hundred other things that help us for our career and our future.”
Boggs got to know her fellow contestants better as well, and she was appreciative of the relationships that they formed.
“I am going to go away with 16 friends forever, for sure,” said Boggs. “I knew most of the girls going into it, but I did not know their backgrounds and certain things about them that I never would’ve known if I didn’t do this pageant.”
Queen’s Court
Right before Boggs was crowned as the 4-H Queen, Good announced the members of the Queen’s Court. It consists of Sophia Hulen (First Runner-Up), Josephine Kile (Second Runner-Up), Meghan Haws (Third Runner-Up), and Mac Smith (Fourth Runner-Up).
Kile was also named Miss Congeniality. She is the daughter of John and Kristin Kile and is a member of the Harey Hoppers. Kile said it was “an honor to be Miss Congeniality,” which is voted on by her peers, and that she is “so excited to work with all of these amazing young ladies” during the 4-H Fair.
“I learned a lot on public speaking skills as well as interviewing skills and how to communicate with people of all ages,” said Kile.